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North Country Regional Business Plan Competition

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About the program · 6 linked sources

An annual business plan competition hosted by Clarkson Ignite since 2013, serving as the North Country regional qualifier for the New York State Business Plan Competition. Student teams across multiple tracks pitch their ventures to panels of investors and industry judges for cash prizes. Open to college students across the North Country region (Clarkson, SUNY Plattsburgh, Paul Smith's College, others) but Clarkson students consistently perform well.

Also known as: NCRBPC

How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-22); what those sources do not state is left unknown.

Key numbers

Funding range

$2,500

Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Regional

Last activity

2026-03-27

High confidence

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North Country Regional Business Plan Competition

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Student experiences · Read or add a note

Student notes

North Country Regional Business Plan Competition

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    Rating

    0/280

    Application and Timing

    Annual event held in late March. Registration opens in early spring via Clarkson Ignite. Multiple competition tracks (5-6 per year).

    Participants

    College students from across the North Country region. Open to all majors. 2026: 70+ students, 26 business ideas, 5 tracks. 2024: 77 students, 34 teams. First- and second-place track winners advance to NYS BPC.

    Funding and Equity

    2026: Grand prize $2,500. Track prizes: $1,000 (1st), $750 (2nd), $250 (3rd). 2024: Track prizes $2,000 (1st), $1,000 (2nd), $500 (3rd), Grand prize +$3,000 ($5,000 total). 2023: Same track structure, Grand prize $3,000 extra. Special prizes (Innovative Prototype, Most Innovative Technology, Greatest Commercialization Potential) also awarded. All prizes are non-dilutive grants. No equity taken.

    Recent Activity

    14th annual competition held March 27, 2026. 70+ students, 26 ideas, 5 tracks. Grand prize: Port Patch ($2,500). New Innovative Prototype prize introduced. Multiple sponsors including Woods Oviatt Gilman, NuMED, North Country Savings Bank, St. Lawrence Health, Citizen Advocates, Sperry Energy, Point Positive, Stewart's Shops.

    Known startups and winners

    Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

    See every startup
    Clarkson University logo

    Doorbit

    $500

    prize won

    Clarkson University

    1st placeCompetition winner

    2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC Greatest Commercialization Potential winner ($500 Shipley prize).

    Clarkson University logo

    EmelieMinis

    $5,000

    prize won

    Clarkson University

    Grand prizeCompetition winner

    2024 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($5,000); learn-to-crochet kits by Emelie Laribee.

    Clarkson University logo

    Fathead Feeder

    $5,000

    prize won

    Clarkson University

    Grand prizeCompetition winner

    2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($5,000); pet feeding solution by Lily Clonan. Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar.

    Clarkson University logo

    Port Patch

    $2,500

    prize won

    Clarkson University

    Grand prizeCompetition winner

    2026 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($2,500); medical comfort device by Sophie Kobayashi, Delaney Petri, and Briana Dieckmann.

    Clarkson University logo

    TrioTech

    $500

    prize won

    Clarkson University

    1st placeCompetition winner

    2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC Most Innovative Technology winner ($500 Shipley prize).

    Research gaps & things to verify

    Verification Gaps

    • Prize structure changes year to year; 2026 appears smaller ($2,500 grand prize) vs 2023-2024 ($5,000 grand prize).
    • Full list of winners across all tracks not published annually.
    Program details

    North Country Regional Business Plan Competition

    Known Winners

    • 2026: Port Patch (grand prize, $2,500) — Sophie Kobayashi, Delaney Petri, Briana Dieckmann
    • 2024: EmelieMinis (grand prize, $5,000) — Emelie Laribee '26. Advanced to NYS BPC.
    • 2023: Fathead Feeder (grand prize, $5,000) — Lily Clonan '25. Also Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar.
    • Other winners: TrioTech (Most Innovative Technology), Doorbit (Greatest Commercialization Potential)
    Additional research notesShow

    Evidence

    News & articles

    News articles and official sources documenting North Country Regional Business Plan Competition at Clarkson University.

    6 sources

    Official sources(6)